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my husband started getting 'red raised blotches' on his side closer to his breast area as apposed to under his arm pit. He has gotten a couple more in the past day.
They are all different sizes ranging from small to a few oval shaped ones that are about the size of two quarters put together. They are "very itchy" and have a "small puss spot in the center of the blotch". Can you tell me what these are?

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Male , Age: 52

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Status: Closed Value: $8

Hello. It sounds as though he has a bacterial infection. Given the size of the ones about the size of two quarters put together, he really needs to see his health care provider. It is possible that this could be treated at home by keeping it clean and dry, and applying OTC triple antibiotic ointment twice a day. You can check this link and look at folliculitis and impetigo. www.dermnet.com/moduleIndex.cfm?moduleID=3 .

Let me know if I can be of further assistance.

Let me know if you need further information. Please remember to click the accept button if this information is helpful. Thanks. JeanRN

Reply to Jean Murphy's Post: I am still not sure what it is that he may have.
How do you get it.? Is it contagous?
He did take antibiotics for it a few weeks ago but it came back. His Dr. didn't really tell him what it was and my husband never asked any questions but I don't like the way it looks.
How do you get this infection? Is it from another
person or from a bite or bug or surroundings?
Please give me more information
thank you

If it is folliculitis, it is infected hair follicles. However, from the size of the largest of the lesions, it's more likely to be impetigo (also caused by a bacteria; usually this starts when there is a small opening in the skin-from a scratch or scrape-allowing the bacteria to move in). Once the infection has set in, whenever a person touches it or scratches, then touches or scratches somewhere else, the infection starts there as well. Since it has recurred, he might not have been on the correct antibiotic. The sores should be cultured to see what bacteria grows and what antibiotic they are sensitive to. http://mayoclinic.com/health/impetigo/DS00464/DSECTION=5

Let me know if you need further information. Please remember to click the accept button if this information is helpful. Thanks. JeanRN

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